Belgian Congo 29 THE BERLIN CONFERENCE the Berlin Act, of February 26, 1885. The importance of the Act in its political and economic aspects and in its relation to the history of African civilization, warrants a separate discussion . Lack of space, how , ever, prevents more than the briefest outline of the principles which it formulated and their bearing on the claims of the International Association of the Congo.

Freedom of trade in the Congo. basin, which was geographically defined, was provided for in the widest sense, while elaborate clauses assured the protection of the natives and the suppression of slavery and slave traffic. The navigation of the Congo was declared free, and the important principle was laid down that the signatory Powers were under obligation to ensure the establishment of authority in the regions occupied by them on the coasts of the African continent sufficient to guarantee freedom of trade and transit. Briefly, the provisions affecting the Congo may be said to have placed the territories watered by the Congo river and its affluents, including Lake Tanganyika, at the dis posal of the International Association, with the proviso that commercial and religious freedom should be guaranteed, slavery and the slave trade suppressed, and no trade monopolies granted. It should be added that the International Association, having no recog nized status at the date of the assembling of the conference, was not formally represented at Berlin ; but, the recognition taking place during the con ference, the Association duly adhered to the General Act.

(5 ) RECOGNITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION The position of the Association, from an international point of view , was established only after considerable negotiation with the Powers concerned . Germany was the first European Power to recognize its status